Hundreds of £700 commuter e-bikes will be rolled out in the lumpier parts of London next year in an extension of the Boris Bikes scheme.

Advertisement

Mayor Boris Johnson said hillier North London was an ideal testing ground for the bikes, which may attract older residents to cycling.

Johnson said: “Electric bikes are already big on the continent as they take the puff and pant out of cycling. Once again, London leads the way in Britain with new cycling innovations — and the elevated latitudes of Haringey are perfect for this trial.”

New docking stations in Haringey, including at Muswell Hill and Alexandra Palace, will also feature the recharging equipment. A commercial partner for the scheme’s electric extension is still being sought. Barclays, who run the existing bike hire project will be offered first refusal, reported theEvening Standard.

And police in the North London area are also going to be issued with a fleet of Haibike e-MTBs so they “can chase criminals into places cars cannot go and make officers more mobile and visible” said Transport for London (TfL).

TfL also announced that one of the new signed Quietway routes – cycle lanes that conduct cyclists through quieter backstreets – will also go live around the same time as the e-bike pilot.

Advertisement

Cycling charity Sustrans has been appointed to work on the inception phase of the Quietways project which will say the fast development of between six and eight ‘quick-win’ routes.